Tractor.



11. PARRETT.

TRACTOR.

AP1 L|CAT10N FILED DEC. 11, 1912.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l1 ANN 1111 D. PAHRETT.

TRACTOR.

APvPLlcATioN man 0c.11,\9x2,

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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TRACTOR.

Be it known that I, DENT PARRETT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the -town of Venona, Marshall county, Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tractors, of which the following is a`specification. v

This invention relates to improvements in traction engines, or tractors, and more .especially to certain details ot construction ofthe frame, axles and steering gear of such machines.

Some of the requirements of a practical ltractor are that it be capable of drawing i heavy loads over rough and uneven ground, and through -mud and up hills; and` its frame and axles shouldv thereforel be suiiiciently strong and rigid to support the heavymachinery required for such purpose, and to take the other strains involved inr hauling and drawing heavy loads; while at' the same time they must be sufficiently flexible to yield without distortion when the device is operating over uneven ground and one wheel is out of the plane of the other three. The steering gear must also be sufliciently strong to withstand the rough usage `required, and should be simple in construc- 'tion in order to be easily adjusted by persoiisiinskilled in mechanics and easily repaired oi' replaced in case of damage caused by running into obstructions, or other accident; which is not infrequent in the kind of service required.

A tractor frame with axles and steering gear embodying the principles ot' the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1U, 151i 5.

Application filed December 11, 1912. Serial No. 736.169.

of such frame member is supported by the solid stationary rear axle 14 which is shown as square rear end of the inverted channel member 12 secured to its center by means of rivets 15.

Forward of the axle 1l andA parallel therewith is a cross member or transverse frame member 18, of angle section, resting on top 'of the channel member 12 and likewise riveted thereto, as indicated at 19, 19; and to each end of the transverse member 1S are similarly secured the forward endsof side `l'rame members 23, 24, which extend rearwardly in a direction parallel with the member 12 and in a horizontal plane iminediately below 4the plane of the cross member 18 and the axle 14; the two side members 23 and 21 being riveted to the underside of the cross member 18 and being hung from the axle by means of shackles or clips 26, 2G. The latter are bolted to the horizont-al flanges of the angular side members 23 and. 2-1 by means of bolts 27 aiidembrace the" and in order to additionally secure axle; the parts a bolt 28 passes through the top of each clip 26 and through the axle and trame member beneath it; the two bolts 28 being secured by nuts as shown. The two side `.trame members 23 and extend rearvwardly beyond the axle 14 and near their rear ends is placed a second transverse frame member 30, ot' channel section, arranged with its web part in a vertical plane, and secured to the two side members by rivets 31 through its bottom flange. lt will be seen therefore that the two side members 23 and 24 and the transverse members 18 and 30 form a i'etaiigular-frame resting on in cross section and having the Figure 1 is ya top plan view. -Figf 2 is the axle Hand strengthened by the central 40a transverse vertical section on the line 2 longitudinal member 12, vfor supporting the of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical }'iropelling machinery and other parts ot the section on the line 3 of Fig. 1.. Fig. 4l isa tractor. The-ends ot' the axle 14 are made view in front elevation. Fig.` 5 isa horizoncylindric, as shown at 35, for receiving the -tal section on the line 5 of Fig. L1. Fig. (3 is a vertical section on the diagonal line 6 of Fig. 5. Figs. 7 and 8 are longitudinal vertical sections on the lines 7 and 8 .respectively of Fig. 1. Figs. 9 and 10 arertransversie vertical sections on-the lines 9 and 10 respectively ot' Fig. 8.

As shown in Said' drawings, the maini4 'frame member is formed of a longitudinally arranged, inverted channel member l 12 which'is of substantially the length of the The rear end /driving wheels ot' tire apparatus; and the latter may be of any desired oi' approved form and may be driven by gears or chains or in any suitable manner from the propel- .ling machinery carried on the frame.

The front axle with its associated parts, indicated as a whole by 10, is swiveled or /pivoted to. the front end of the channel member 12.in a manner permitting of its limited rotation in a vertical plane about an axis which passes through its center. .lt

formed of upper and lower transverse members l2 and i3 respectively, the former of angle section, having a horizontal flange, and a depending vertical flange 45, and the latter comprising a flat plate or bar arranged below the lnember l2 and in the same transverse vertical plane The two transverse members #l2 and 43 are joined at their center by a strut or spacing member 48 which has its upper end bolted to the vertical flange 45, as indicated at 46, and its lower end made with an integral horizontal flange 50 bolted upon the upper side of the crow bar 43, as indicated at 53.

Between the ends of the parallel axle members l2 'and 43 are placed vertical steen ing knuckles supporting front wheel spindles, and these parts are constructed as follows: Each steering knuckle includes a vertically. arranged cylindric part 60 which is pivoted between the ends of the axle members by means of a large steering bolt 62 passing through its center and through holes in the ends of the axle members and secured in place by nuts on its ends; and for the purpose ot' spacing apart the two axle members l2 and 43 the openings through the c vlindric members (l0 are made large enough to accommodate tubes orv bushings 61. which take the pressure of tln` nuts on the ends oi the steering bolts and allow the steering knuckles to turn freely. Each steering knuckle comprises. in addition tothe cylindric part (i0. an integral horizontal wheel spindle G7 for one of the frontwheelsand in the same axial plane but diametrically opposite to the wheel spindle is formed a-rib or boss for the attachment of a. steering arm 71. The latter comprises' a short rod reduced in diameter to extend through a hole through the rib 70, with its projecting end threaded and secured b v aV nut 72. The two steering arms 71 extend. rearwardly, each at right angles to the direction of its associated spindle 67, and their rear ends are connected by a horizontal drag link 75 which is yoked at each end and pivoted to the ends of the steering arms by means of bolts 76 as shown; and in order to accommodate these parts the flange 45 is cnt away at each end of the axle member 42, as indi cated at 77, 77

`llt should he noted that rwhen the two wheel spindles 67 are in axial alinement as shown in Fig. and the front wheels therefore parallel, the two steering arms 71 are also parallel; but by reason of the offsetting of such steering arms from the Vaxes ofthe cylindric parts G0, lines drawn through such axes and through the adjacent pivot points 7 6 (which lines determine the effective angles between the steering arms and the wheel spindles) will converge toward the rear axle as is required in order to make thc front wheels turn at different angles when the machine is turned.

incarica It will be seen therefore that the steering arms 7l are very simple in construction, each one being straight, and their proper setting is at right angles to the wheel ,l

The device is steered through a horizontal steering rod 80 which is connected'at its forward end through a ball and socket joint to an arm S2 extending from one of the steering knuckles 60. Such arm comprises a.

flat bar attached tothe rib 70 of such knuckle. the har having an opening through its end and being bolted to the rib h v means, of the steering arm il which passes through it and secures it rigidhY in place. The bar is twisted so that its opposite end lies in a horizontal plane. and a diagonal brace 86 extends from such end to the arm 71: being secured at each end by rivets 87. 87.. ln order that the two steering arms 71 may be made alike a spacing washer 88, of the same thickness as the bar S2. is placed between the steering arm 7l and the rib 70 at the opposite end of the axle. in the end of the arm 82 and extending downward is fixed a short stud or projection 90 having its lower end 91 spherical and enlarged and entering an opening in the top of .-i short threaded tube 93 secured over the threaded end of the steering rod S0. The end of such rod is spherically recessed to engage with the ball 91 and into the opposite end of the tube 93 is threaded a screw 95 with its end similarly formed to engage with the other side of the balL The proper setti-ng of these parts is maintained by means of set nuts 97 and 98.

The front axle is pivotally attached at its center to the forward end ot' the frame member l2 in a manner permitting of its limited rotation in a transverse vertical plane. For this purpose a depending bracket 100 is arranged at the forward end of the frame member l2, such bracket comprising a short length of angle iron or angle steel bolted to the under side of the frame member: and to the rear of it is riveted a similar bracket 102i. penings are made through these in which is journalcd a bar or shaft 105 having its ends turned c vlindric for' auch purpose. rThe c vlindrir part of the forward end of the bar 105 which extends beyond the bracket 100 is reduced in diameter and extended through openings in the avle members l2 and lhpwith its pro jecting end threaded and rigidly secured by means of a large nut ill?. spacing washer or ring 110 is interposed between the,

; member 30. p si niilar to the bracket 135,

axle part 2 and the bracket 100- and transmits the pressure of the nut 107 to the shoulder formed between the larger and smaller cylindric parts of the bar to prevent binding. The rear end of the bar or shat't 105 is similarly formed and journaled in an opening through the bracket 103. Its projecting end is likewise reduced in diam eter and extends through a large block 114 to which is attached the apex of a. V-shaped Jframe for bracing the front axle. Such trame comprises, two integral arms 117, 117, with their common part secured to the un,- dei-side of the block lll by means ot cap vscrews 119, and their forward ends bolted to the outer ends of the axle'member 3 as shown. T he block 114: is similarly secured on the end oi the: pivot shaft 105 by means ot a nut 120, as shown, and Similarly bears against a. shoulder where the larger cylindric part of the shaft turns in the bracket 103. By this means it will be seen that the axle parts l2, 43 and 4S, the pivot shaft 105, the spacing members and 114, and the diagonal braces 117 are secured rigidly t gether as a unit and may rotate about t e axis of the pivot shaft in the openings through the stationary bracket members 100 and 103.

The steering rod 80 is actuated for the purpose ot' steering the device through a long. horizontal, threaded shaft or screw working ,in a nut 132 to which is pivot ally attached the rear end of such steering rod. 'lhe jfront end of the threaded shaft or screw shaft 130 is journaled in a depending bracket which is ri'vetedto one of the vertical flanges ot the channel member 12, and its rear end is journaled in aplate 136 which depends from the transverse-frame An intermediate bracket 137,

furnishes additional support. A collar 138, secured by a 'l set screw 139, is fixed to the forward end of the screw shaft and a sprocket wheel 140 to its rear end; the latter being -for engagement by a sprocket chain connecting with a hand wheel or other suitable steering arrangement tor rotating the shaft 1.30. The nut 132 is made in two parts 143, 144, separated in an axial plane and secured together by cap screws 145; ali-,d the part 143 is made with a wide flat side sliding against the under side of the. channel member 12, with another flat side sliding against the inner side ol the adjacent depending liange of auch channel member, and with a laterally extended part or ledge 148 engaging the under edge ot' such flange, to keep the nut from rotating. An eye bolt- 150 also extends through the two parts ot' they split nut to aid in securing them together and forms a ho-rizontal pivot Jor the rear end of the steering 'rod H0: the latter boing lniturned, and its l wifi-ical. part extending through the eye and being secured by aV nut 15J: on its threaded projecting end. 1t will be seen therefore that the means of attachment of the steering rod 80 t0 the steering nut 13:2 constitutes a universal joint permitting the steering rod to move up and down and sidcwise as is required for the turning of the front wheels and the swiveling of the frontl axle, and by `reason of the fact that the screw 130 and the front axle pivot 105 are nearly in axial alinement the steering is not substantially affected by such relative movement of the front axle with respect to the frame of the device. Shims may be placedv between the two parts of the split nut 132, and afterward removed as desired to compensate for wear.

The draw bar construction comprises a bar which is bent to form a V and looped downward and 24 to which its upper ends are riveted immediately below the axle 14. It is joined at its lowest part by a diagonalbrace 172 which is secured to the underside of the frame member 12 at the point where it is intersected by the transverse member 18. A horizontal draw bar 173 with an eye in its rear end is attached to' these parts at its front end, being pivoted upon a pivot bolt 175 which secures the parts 170 and 172t together and has a bushing 170 surrounding its upper part in order 'zol from the two frame members 23 that its nut may be tightened and still permit the draw bar to' swing freely.

I claim as my invention;

1. ln a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal frame 1nember,.a front axle supporting its forward end, steering knuckles at the ends ot' such axle, steering arms and a drag link connecting such steering knuckies` and a steering rod and a screw and nut for moving such steering rod, such vscrew being arranged parallel to such longitudinal frame member and such nut engaging with such longitudinal frame member to prevent rotation.

2. In a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal-frame member, a rear axle supporting its rear end and a front axle pivoted to its prising parallel upper a central spacing member, a. shaft with its end supported in such central member, and diagonal braces to the opposite end ot' such and lower members,

shaft, such longitudinal frame member havnaled.

In a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal. frame member and a front axle pivotcd to its front end, such Jfront axle comprising parallel upper and lower members one of them having a vertical flange with an opening therethrough, a central spacing member with a corresponding opening, a pivot shatt with its end lixed in such front end, such front axle com-A f ving brackets 1n which such shaft is jourl" openings, and diagonal braces from the other axle member to the opposite end ot' such pivot shaft, said longitudinal frame member having:` brackets in which said pivot shaft is journaled.

-l. ln a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal frame member havingr depending brackets at its forward end, ay front axle supporting a pivot shaft journaled in such brackets, steerimgr knuckles at the ends of such axle, steering arms and a drag link romiectingl such steering knuckles, and a steering rod and a, screw and nut for moving such steering' rod, such screw being supported below and parallel to such longitudinal frame member and nearly in axial alinement with such axle pivot shaft.

ln a tractor, a longitudinal frame memn ber ol inverted channel section, b 'ackets depending therefrom, a screw journaled in such brackets, a nut engaging such screw, such nut having a flat surface sliding against the surface of said channel member, and a steering rod with its end pivotally attached to said nut.

rlhe combination in a tractor, of a front axle comprising parallel, upper and lower axle members and a steering' knuckle at each end oi' said axle, each steering knuckle comprising' a cylindric part placed between the two axle members, a steering bolt extending' through such |cylindric part andthrough said axle members, a wheel spindle i part, an opening'tln'ough such rib, and a steering arm fixed inte such opening.

niaaaoe 7. The combination in a tractor, of a front axle comprising parallel upper and lower axle members and a steering knuckle at one end of said axle, said steering knuckle comprising a cylindric part placed between the two axle members, a steering bolt extendingl through such cylindric part and lthrough .said axle members, a Wheel spindle and a rib extending from said c vlindric part, an opening through such rib, a steering arm fixed .into such opening, another arm fixed to such rib and a diagonal brace between said two arms.

8. ln a tractor, an axle comprising parallel upper and lower vmembers Withivertr cally piroted steering, knuckles at the ends of such axle,v each knuckle comprising a c vlinder arranged 4between such parallel vaxle members, an axial opegiing through such cylinder, a bushing in such opening, a bolt extendingthrough such bushing and through the ends of the axle members, a. wheel spindle secured to such cylinder, a rib on such cylinder, and a steering arm secured to such rib and extendingat right angles to such wheel spindle, such steering' arm being,r olf-set with respect to the axis of such cylinder. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses this 7 day of December, 1912.

' DENT PARRETT. Witnesses lliunJ R. RosnNTHAL, J ENNin MlLLER. 

